By Francis kobena Tandoh
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has joined 16 other leaders from the African continent to improve universal access to energy to boost businesses.
According to Mahama, improving access to energy has the potential to reduce poverty and create equal opportunities for people.
“Ghana believes universal energy access is key to empowering businesses, reducing poverty, and creating equal opportunities. This goal can only be achieved through strong government–private sector partnerships, supported by an enabling environment for sustainable investment,” said President Mahama.
It is essential to note that seventeen African governments have committed to reforms and actionable plans to expand electricity access as part of Mission 300—an ambitious partnership led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group (https://www.AfDB.org/) that aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
At the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum (https://apo-opa.co/42dhJtN) , national Energy Compacts—practical blueprints that guide public spending, trigger reforms, and attract private capital—were endorsed by Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, the Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Principe, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “That’s why Mission 300 is more than a target—it is forging enduring reforms that slash costs, strengthen utilities, and draw in private investment.”
Since the launch (https://apo-opa.co/3KfhisX) of Mission 300, 30 million people have already been connected, with more than 100 million in the pipeline.
“Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition,” said African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah. “Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a paycheck.” Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report with files from APO
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